It Doesn’t End with the Degree

Biology alumnus Micah Rapp (‘15) was the first IPFW student to win a nationally renowned Barry Goldwater Scholarship. And he’s kept in touch!

Today, Rapp is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at Columbia University. Adding to his accolades (and research opportunities), Rapp was awarded a 2017 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship, which provides a generous three-year stipend and additional tuition assistance.

What allowed Rapp to achieve such honors? He credits experiences offered and connections made at IPFW. According to Rapp, his undergraduate research experience with and letters of recommendation from IPFW faculty, especially his faculty mentor Professor George Mourad (biology), were “key” to his success. He notes that “receiving the fellowship is a testament to my mentors and the quality training I got as an undergrad at IPFW.”

Congratulations to Rapp! Also, thank you, Professor Mourad and all faculty mentors who work so hard with our students!